of the Alcatraz air assault battalion, Donetsk region of Ukraine, 31 January 2025. Photo: Jose Colon / AFP
The administration of US President Donald Trump is reviewing its strategy towards Ukraine as the prospects for a quick peace deal are becoming less likely. According to Reuters, the White House is discussing new ways to put pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow to move the process forward.
Active negotiations between the US, Ukraine and Russia were expected to lead to a ceasefire by May. However, according to US officials, the situation on the frontline and the lack of concessions from the Kremlin make peace unlikely.
“There is deep disappointment in the negotiations with the Russian government,” said James Hewitt, a spokesman for the US National Security Council. He also stressed that Trump is considering imposing new sanctions against Moscow, including raising duties on Russian oil buyers.
Meanwhile, Moscow has made it clear that it is not ready to accept Washington’s proposals. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the US initiatives do not take into account the Kremlin’s interests.
Official Kyiv has not yet commented on the Trump administration’s new approaches, but sources in the Ukrainian government say that the West continues to put pressure on Ukraine over some economic agreements, including the use of rare earth metals.
Washington is seeking to agree on a common line with its NATO allies, but more and more politicians in Europe are expressing doubts about the real prospects for negotiations with the Kremlin.
Whether the Trump administration will be able to move the situation forward is an open question. However, experts are already warning that prolonging the war could have critical consequences for the entire Euro-Atlantic security.
